Boy Gets World’s First Brain Implant To Control Epilepsy Seizures

A U.K. teenager, Oran Knowlson, who suffers from severe epilepsy, has become the first person to receive a brain implant designed to control seizures. The neurostimulator was implanted under his skull and sends electrical signals deep into his brain, reducing his seizures by 80%. According to Oran’s mom, he’s now happier, more talkative, and enjoys a better quality of life since receiving the device.

The surgery, led by consultant pediatric neurosurgeon Martin Tisdall at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, was part of a trial involving multiple institutions. Oran, who has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, had been experiencing hundreds of seizures daily, often losing consciousness and needing resuscitation. Since the implantation, his seizures have significantly reduced, allowing him more independence and a safer life.

The neurotransmitter implantation procedure involved inserting electrodes into Oran’s brain, targeting his thalamus. The device is recharged with wearable headphones and provides continuous stimulation to the brain to block seizure pathways. Following the success with Oran, more patients are being recruited for further study, with the hope that the technology will become a standard option for preventing seizures in the future.

Source: THE GUARDIAN


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